3 healthy ways to unwind after the school year is over

The beauty of summer? You can chill and be productive. (Handstock/Getty)

So it’s been a rough past few weeks — between studying for finals, finishing up last-minute assignments, and attending graduation parties, you’re tired and stressed. This is a sign you need to pause, relax and enjoy some downtime!

Here are three healthy ways to unwind now that the school year is over (or ending soon!):

1. Get into yoga

Whether you’re a seasoned yogi who has had to put the mat away during the last few busy weeks of the semester, or a newbie who has never tried it, there’s no questioning the benefits of yoga. In fact, one of the coolest things about yoga is that people of all abilities can take part.

Yoga is a great way to improve both your mood and physical fitness, especially if you’ve been super stressed and frazzled by finals. It’s a “mind-body” practice that combines physical and mental relaxation techniques that can help you feel more content and at peace.

A good way to get started or back into yoga is to take a class. Purchase a yoga mat; you can find a nice one for as little as $10! Look for classes in your local yoga studios, but also at gyms, libraries, or community centers where yoga is often offered as an activity. If you can’t find a class conveniently located near you, there are often YouTube tutorials as well that could help you learn! Dress in comfy athletic clothing and prepare to unwind.

2. Plan a weekend getaway

A change of scenery can do a lot of good in helping you wind down after a stressful end of the semester. So, why not plan an easy weekend trip?

Two to three days is the perfect amount of time for a quick getaway. You won’t miss much—if any—work, you can go on a low budget, and it doesn’t require a lot of planning, something which can be stressful in and of itself.

First decide if you want a friend or two to come along with you or if you want to go solo on your trip. Pack just a bag or two with all your essentials—including your phone charger, toiletries, and so on—since the less you need to think about, the more you can relax and have fun when prepping for your trip. Then drive your car, take a train, or jet off to somewhere fun, even if it’s only an hour or two away from home.

3. Read for fun

During the semester, you spent hours poring over your textbooks and professors’ long reading assignments. So once the semester comes to a close, you’re probably ready to give your eyes and brain a rest.

But what about all those other great books you put aside during the semester so you’d have more time for classwork? Wouldn’t it be great to finally get to read them? Reading for pleasure is a great way to unwind after a stressful end of the semester. Like yoga and travel, reading can take your mind off your everyday stresses and help you relax your body and mind without staring at a screen.

Starting up a summer job or internship right after the end of the semester and don’t have time to sit down and read? No worries. Plugging into a storytelling podcast or an audiobook can have a relaxing effect that’s similar to the one reading has on your mind and body. Tune in when exercising, when commuting, or during your lunch break.

Erica Cirino is a contributing writer for Varsity Tutors, a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement.

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